Car-coupling



(No Model.)

G. R. KING, A. P. ATEN & W. B. FLOYD.

CAR COUPLING.

3'70. Patented Feb. 21, 1888.

Fi Q2.-

. l. 11! fiu mb v hmv m "llivrrnn STATES PATENT FFlhCEs CHARLES R. KING, AARON P. ATEN, AND \VILLIAM B. FLOYD, OF LAM- PASAS, TEXAS.

CAR-COUPLING.

EPECIPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 378,370, dated February 21, 1888.

Application filed October 21, 1887. Serial No. 253,006. (No model.)

To ail whom, it may concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLES E. KING, Annex 1?. Aaron, and WILLIAM B. FLOYD, citizens of the United States, residing at Lainpasas, in the county of Lainpasas and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Gar-Couplings, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to improvementsin automatic car-couplings; and it consists in certain novel features, hereinafter first fully described, and then pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings,which fully illustrate our invention, Figure l is an end view of a car provided with our improved coupling. Fig. 2 is a side view of the same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing two draw heads coupled together and showing the uncoupled position of the parts in dotted lines. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the link.

Referring to the drawings by letter, A designates the car, and B the draw-head secured to the bottom of the same, at the end thereof, in the usual or any preferred manner.

The draw-head is provided with a slot, 21, in its upper side, in which we pivot the coupling-dog O. This coupling-dog is provided with a rcarwardly-extending tongue, 0, to which one end of a chain, D, is secured. The opposite end of the chain D is secured to the end of a lever, E,which is pivoted about midway its length. to a fulcrum-iron, F, secured to a hoadblock, G, on the end of the car. The inner end of the lever E is pivotally connected to the lower end of a vertical rod, H, which is supported on the end of the car, and extends to the top of the same, as shown, in order that the cars may be uncoupled from the top.

I designates-a coiled spring arranged in rear of the fulcrum-iron E, and having its opposite ends bearing, respectively, against the headblock and the inner end of thelever E, so as to keep the said inner end of the lever normally elevated.

J J are two levers pivoted to the end of the car and extending to the sides of the same, their inner ends being connected to the rod H by the links K K.

L designates the coupling-link, which has its ends tapered, as shown, so as to "facilitate its entrance into the draw-head, and consequently render the action of the device posi tive and certain.

To couple the cars by means of our improved device, the link is secured in one draw-head and the cars caused to approach each other. The link is thus made to enter the opposing draw-head and passes under the couplingdog, being automatically engaged by the same, as will be readily understood. To uncouple the cars, the rod H is depressed either by pressing downward on the upper end of the same or by raising the outer ends of the levers J, thereby lowering the inner and raising the outer end of the lever E. The coupling-dog is thus drawn out of engagement with the link, which is then withdrawn from the draw-head.

It will be seen from the foregoing that we have provided a very simple car-coupling, which is entirely automatic in its operation, and by which the necessity of the operators going between the cars is absolutely dispensed with.

It will also be noticed that the danger of a ccidental uncoupling is reduced to a minimum, as the spring I keeps thelever E in such a position that the chain D is always slack, except when the cars are being uncoupled.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with the coupling-dog and link, of the lever E, the chain D, connecting the outer end of said lever to the coupling-dog, the spring I, holding the inner end of said lever normally elevated, and means for depressing the said end of the lever, substantially as specified.

2. lihe combination of the coupling-dog,

the head block, the fulcrum iron secured our own We have hereto affixed our signatures thereto, the lever E, pivoted on said fulcrumin presence of two witnesses.

iron and connected to the coupling-dog by O. R. KING.

a chain, D, the rod H, to depress the inner 'AARONP. ATEN. 5 end of the said lever, and the spring I, acting W'M. B. FLOYD.

in opposition to rod H, substantially as de- WVitnesses:

scribed.

7 JAMES DEERING, In testimony that we claim the foregoing as H. B. OOVINGTON. 

